Test specialists may leave early for Aus

December 01, 2011 14:24 IST

There is a strong possibility that some senior members of the Indian cricket team, especially Test specialists like V V S Laxman, who does not play ODIs, will leave for Australia ahead of the team's departure on December 12.

"Nothing has been decided as yet and we would inform the media once it happens, but, yes, the possibility of some players leaving early for Australia exists," a Board of Control for Cricket in India source said on Thursday.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had told reporters in Mumbai after the conclusion of the three-Test series against the West Indies that such a move would help the players acclimatize to the conditions in Australia.

'As of now nothing is concrete and if it is not concrete I can't say anything about it. Such a decision will help the players in acclimatizing to the conditions as was the case when we went to South Africa (before the World Cup),' Dhoni had said.

On that occasion India lost the opening Test at Centurion Park, defeated the Proteas in the second match of the three-match rubber at Kingsmead in Durban before the two teams drew the third and final Test at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town.

Dhoni has been rested for the ongoing five-match ODI series against the West Indies and in his absence the team is being led by Virender Sehwag.

Rahul Dravid has retired from ODIs and is available for early departure to Australia.

But there is uncertainty, as he is the recipient of this year's prestigious C K Nayudu award, which will be given away during the

BCCI's annual awards function in Chennai on December 10.

Two other Australia-bound Test squad members â Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha -- have not been picked for the first three ODIs while Sachin Tendulkar has been rested for the first three matches against the West Indies.

The selectors will pick the team for the last two ODIs, at Ahmedabad, venue of the third India-West Indies match on December 5, along with a replacement for Praveen Kumarm, who has been ruled out of the Test series in Australia because of a chest injury.